HAVE A Laugh
Alexander the Great is most known for his hard-fought capture of land all across the globe after succeeding his father on Greece’s throne at just 20 years old. Today, the facts of his premature death are starting to piece together a curious puzzle for historians, because some now believe Alexander was buried alive. After 12 days of abdominal pain that led to a fever and paralysis, ancient Greek doctors couldn’t detect a breath from Alexander, and he was declared dead. His body was prepared for the afterlife, but he didn’t show signs of decomposition for six days. This only fed the belief that Alexander — like other rulers of his time — was part god. Dr. Katherine Hall of the University of Otago, New Zealand, believes this suggests Alexander wasn’t yet dead. In fact, he may have been suffering from a rare bacterial infection that attacks the nervous system and leads to paralysis, which could result in the lack of breath. This is still a theory, so while we may not know exactly how Alexander died, some of the final pieces of the puzzle may fall into (an eerie) place. Was Alexander the Great Buried … Alive?!
Genetic Testing’s Unintended Benefits
If you lived in California in the 1970s and 1980s, Joseph James DeAngelo was likely the boogeyman you feared most. While his name was unknown to investigators then, DeAngelo murdered and raped victims for decades as the elusive Golden State Killer. However, this monster in a man’s 70-year-old body would have never been discovered and arrested if not for the work of DNA-testing websites. While it was the GEDmatch website that helped investigators eventually nab DeAngelo, the science and popularity of 23andMe initially made this form of police work a viable reality. And some of the credit
has to go to Linda Avey and Anne Wojcicki for kick-starting this movement with 23andMe in 2006. As Avey explains on the 23andMe website, the company was founded to provide individuals with a greater understanding of their genetic makeup and “accelerating research in the field of genetics.” In 2008, Time magazine named 23andMe’s genetic testing as its “Invention of the Year,” citing that accessibility to one’s genome and medical history through DNA was previously an elite offering only for the rich. Today, users of Avey and Wojcicki’s product spend anywhere from $100–$200 on each kit and lifetime results. Many companies have mimicked 23andMe’s model, including its use of autosomal DNA testing, but 23andMe pioneered this type of product first. This form of testing links those who share maternal and paternal DNA with everyone in the testing group. It’s why 23andMe can offer its users answers about where their families originated and find patterns in genetic coding. For years, many were skeptical about this company. For starters, people worried about how their DNA would be used or shared, while the Food and Drug Administration had concerns over the health testing portions of the kit. However, throughout its existence, 23andMe has updated its privacy and now meets FDA requirements. More importantly — in some cases — it now allows everyday citizens to help police officers provide closure to families looking for answers in cold cases.
jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com | HarrisonLawGroup.com | 3
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